With over 20 years of experience covering the Steelers for the Observer-Reporter, Dale Lolley will let you know the insider scoop. Dale can also be heard on the Steelers radio network pre-game show on WDVE-FM game days and Tuesday nights from 6 to 8 p.m. on ESPN 970-AM and WDVE during the season as a host of the Antonio Brown Show. Follow him on Twitter at @dlolleyor

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

A look at the Steelers draft picks

1. (15) Ryan Shazier, ILB, Ohio State. I had Shazier on my radar going into the draft. He's like a heat-seeking missile. But I, like everyone else, fell into the trap of thinking the Steelers HAD to take a wide receiver or cornerback, overlooking the need at inside linebacker. I didn't think the Steelers would take the second coming of Lawrence Timmons because, you know, they already had Timmons. But is there something wrong with having two of those guys? Should start right away. Passed on: Darqueze Dennard (CB)

2. (46) Stephon Tuitt, DE, Notre Dame. Almost a no-brainer when he fell into their lap in the second round. Had Tuitt not been injured in his final season and then showed up at the combine with a stress fracture in his foot, he would have been a first round pick and possible consideration for the Steelers in the first round. A solid pass rusher from the end position who can also stop the run in the same vein as Cam Heyward. There's a very good chance he'll start right away as well. Passed on: Davante Adams (WR), Stanley Jean-Baptiste (CB)

3. (97) Dri Archer, RB/WR/KR, Kent State. This seems to be the pick most are settling on when they question the Steelers' draft. If Donte Moncrief had still been on the board, he would have been the pick. But while the "official" time at the combine on Archer was 4.26, the Steelers and many other teams had him at sub 4.2. He's also a killer in the open field with his great vision. Yes, he's only 173 pounds. But he fills an immediate need as a kick returner - all of their 2013 kick returners are gone - and he'll we worked in as a slot receiver and change-of-pace runner. This kid is not, I repeat, not Chris Rainey, who was just a quick, little running back. Archer will score at least five TDs this season. Passed on: Martavis Bryant (WR) , Keith McGill (CB)

4. (118) Martavis Bryant, WR, Clemson. After passing on Bryant to take Archer, the Steelers wind up with both. How close were they to taking Bryant in the third? The team put out a bio sheet with Bryant as their third-round selection, then had to put out another showing him as the 118th pick instead. Bryant has good size (6-4, 211) and speed (4.42). And he's a deep threat, as his average of 20-plus yards per catch in college would suggest. But he's raw as a route runner. A boom or bust pick. Passed on: Pierre Desir (CB)

5. (157) Shaquille Richardson, CB, Arizona. After passing on corners all the way through, the Steelers got a guy they really like. Carnell Lake discovered Richardson on film while at UCLA and invited him to a camp. The Bruins' staff liked him so well that after the camp, they offered a scholarship. But Lake was hired by the Steelers soon after that and Richardson and two others were accused of stealing a purse. The charges were dropped, but Richardson ended up at Arizona. He's got good size and speed and is a potential starter down the road. Passed on: Ryan Carrethers, NT.

5. (173) Wesley Johnson, G-C, Vanderbilt. As I've already stated on this board, this was one pick I questioned. If the Steelers had taken a tackle prospect, I would have understood the pick. But Johnson, primarily a left tackle in school who played some guard and center, is projected as an interior swing guy. Then again, the Steelers had the same projection for Kelvin Beachum and he's now their starting LT. Passed on: Jeoffrey Pagan, NT

6. (192) Jordan Zumwalt, ILB, UCLA. After taking Shazier in the first round, it was somewhat surprising the Steelers doubled down at inside linebacker. But their depth at the position was terrible in 2013. He'll compete immediately with Vince Williams, Kion Wilson and others for a backup spot, with the winner being decided by who plays the best special teams. Zumwalt should be very good on teams, so the others might have their work cut out for them. Passed on: Jamea Thomas, CB, Georgia Tech

6. (215) Daniel McCullers, NT, Tennessee. At 6-7, 352 pounds, he's massive. A project who is going to have to keep his weight down - he said he got as high as 420 in high school - McCullers will be John Mitchell's latest project. Actually, Mitch has a few to work on, counting Tuitt and last year's seventh-round pick, Nick Williams. Tuitt is a more finished product, though, and if Mitch can turn Williams and/or McCullers into contributors, he'll have helped the Steelers turn the corner. Passed on: Beau Allen, NT

7. (230) Rob Blanchflower, TW, UMass. I loved this pick, and not just because it won me a dinner from co-host David Todd on the ESPN 970 draft show - I called not only the position but the player. Blanchflower is a good all-around tight end who can both block and get down the field to challenge defenses. He's not a burner (4.82) but he's solid in every facet of the game, which is what the Steelers look for. He had some injury issues in college, but will push for a spot on the roster as the No. 3 tight end. Passed on: Seantrel Henderson, OT

19 comments:

Mike
said...

I've got to give it to you: that was a great summary of what the Steelers accomplished in the draft. I'm also very excited about the talent they have added to the team. I think this is the right focus of speed, size and position flexibility.

Camp is going to be riveting this year with so many guys vying for the 53 man squad. I will already predict we'll have the best practice squad in the NFL!

Matt Williamson of ESPN.com said that this draft was so deep that he considers rookie FAs DE Josh Mauro and OLB/DE Howard Jones of Shepherd as draft picks for the Steelers also. He believes that both will make the Steelers team. Typically, 3 to 4 years down the road, a successful draft is viewed as a team having 2 impact player or 3 or more starters. I think this could be one of Colbert's best drafts with the Steelers. At least I think we'll have the privilege of these players getting on the field sooner because there isn't a whole lot in front of many of them to keep them off the field.

I think Colbert learned a very important lesson the past two years from trying to plug in rookies for established vets and not expecting much dropoff. This year, he sighed more young vets to provide depth and competition for the draft picks. With the team projected to be about $20M UNDER next year's cap (& that doesn't include an extension for Ben that could free up another $8M to $10M under the cap, hopefully the team has turned a corner and can now be a little more aggressive in FA going fwd. Gotta love the fact that a lot of this draft were playmakers and trench help. And lastly, Dale, relax. The kid from Vanderbilt is going to be alright. Three years from now, don't be surprised if he's the Steelers starting LT with Beachum moving to LG. You heard it here first & I speak nothing but DaTruth.

BTW, I can't remember the last time a perceived position of weakness for the Steelers could so quickly turn into a potential strength with a lot of upside like the DL position.

A starting DL of Tuitt, McClendon and C. Heyward with reserves C. Thomas, B. Arnfelt, N. Willaims, J. Mauro and NTs D. McCullers& H. Fangupo and you can understand while Johnny Mitchell was the most excited I've ever seen him after a Steelers draft. A lot of moldable clay for Mitchell to work with this year.

I am interested in seeing Jones from Shephard play. His combines measurables were off the chart. Yah, I know the game is not played in shorts and the kid is from a Div II school, but you can't teach speed and quickness. This guy has those qualities. Let's see if he can play.

Dale, an interesting tidbid that I found on HoJo from Shepherd while reading an article on InsideNoVA.com. Here it is:

"Although he ran a decent 40 time at the combine, Jones said nerves got the best of time and hurt his chances of running faster. Speed is one of Jones’ main attributes. It’s what got him initially noticed by NFL teams after he worked out for two scouts in March of 2013 at Shepherd and posted hand-held times of 4.38, 4.33 and 4.36."

I'd like to give him a couple of years playing special teams & in the Steelers strength & conditioning program and then see what you have. Still, to be 6'2, 235 lbs., 40.5 inch vertical with verified clocked speed in the 4.3's isn't a bad place to start.

As with Shazier, apparently the Cowboys were also very interested in HoJo and wanted to sign him as a FA rookie. Here's hoping Colbert resigns OLB Alan Baxter and let the two really light a fire under underwhelming OLB Chris Carter for a roster spot.

I keep hearing from the draft prognosticators that this was a deep draft. Then I hear how the Steelers will really benefit from it.

OK, ever heard of the aphorism "a rising tide lifts all boats"? Last I checked, 31 other teams got to participate in this draft and to sign free agents afterward.

Since competitive strengths and weaknesses are all relative, how does the depth of this draft make the Steelers choices, relative to all other teams' respective draft choices and free agent signings, any better?

James II, don't be so quick to pass judgement on McCullers. The main thing that the Steelers require their NT to do is to occupy 2 blockers on running downs to allow the team's ILBs to run free. On pass downs, the Steelers want the NT to get a good push and put whoever is trying to block them in the QB's lap.

If Mitchell is able to light a fire under this kid, teach him technique, get him to play low snap in & snap out and if McCullers gets down to about 325 to 330 by year 2, the Steelers could have a player on their hands. He doesn't need to be Casey in his prime. Just put whoever tries to block you on passing downs into the lap of the QB and if you can't get there, then put your 37-inch arms up.

If you adhere to the planet theory, there aren't that many humans in the world at that size that could be an NFL athlete. I think the best football is ahead for this kid, particularly with the things the Steelers and Mitchell are going to ask him to do. It's there for him if he wants it.

I don't see McCullers getting that light. Remember, the dude is every bit of 6-7. Hampton played at 6-1 and upwards of the 330 he was listed at. I'm not saying the kid is Casey Hampton, but body type is body type. He might be as fit as he's going to be.

despite his size I think most NFL offensive lineman can handle him one on one. Wouldn't have much of a problem keeping him from occupying 2 blockers.

There's a reason he's such a late draft pick and I just don't see him being able to be developed into something that we can use.

With that said, this is clearly a draft class of unique specimens they are hoping they can mold into something. It will be interesting to see if any of them pan out. Even Shazier is more of a project than some of the players taken around him even if you guys can't see it

I follow Jarvis on social media (Instagram) and his most recent pictures don't indicate that he's "ripped" but you can tell he has been working out, he actually posted a training video last month or so. To say he hasn't been working would be just simply innacurate at this point.